Dry eye disease (DED) is often comorbid with psychiatric conditions and psychological disturbances like anxiety and depression. The psychological symptoms are mostly considered to be a consequence of DED or a side-effect of medication. However, the possible psychological etiology of DED is seldom explored. This study explores the relationship between anxiety sensitivity (AS), unpleasant emotional states, and the severity of DED symptoms in a healthy general population sample in Croatia. A total of 766 adults (62.27% females) aged between 18 and 88 years completed an online survey consisting of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS21) together with socio-demographic data. The results revealed significant positive correlations between ASI, emotional states, and OSDI (r = 0.25–0.29, p < 0.01). Mediation analysis showed that DASS21 significantly mediates the relationship between ASI and OSDI (B = 0.1, CI = [0.004, 0.2]). Highly anxiety sensitive people are more sensitive to DED symptoms, which additionally increases in a state of emotional stress. Thus, DED symptoms are perceived more intensely and frequently than in less sensitive people. Understanding these associations is crucial for comprehensive DED management, indicating potential benefits from addressing psychological health in DED patients and eye health in psychiatric patients.

Background and Objectives: Considering the link between childhood experiences with adult health and well-being, this study examined how living with a heavy drinker (HD) during childhood affected self-rated mental health (SRMH) in adulthood, while identifying risk and protective factors and assessing the prevalence within a regional context. Materials and Methods: Data (N = 11,113) were obtained from a cross-sectional DEEP SEAS survey (2021) of the general population, aged 18–64 years, in six countries (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, and Italy). Results: A statistically significant difference in SRMH was found, related to the childhood experience of living with an HD (MD = −0.221, 95% CI −0.250–0.172, N = 10,886) and being negatively affected (MD = −0.216, 95% CI −0.311–0.122, N = 2978). The correlation analysis revealed that individuals who lived with an HD during childhood perceived poorer SRMH in adulthood, consistently across all observed countries. Subsequent logistic regression identified different predictors for SRMH between those who were negatively affected and those who were not. The relationship satisfaction (RAS) was the strongest predictor, significantly contributing to better SRMH, especially in the subgroup that was not negatively affected (OR 28.724, 95% CI 3.450–239.173). A high prevalence of individuals negatively affected was found, especially in Hungary (34.4%) and Croatia (26.5%). Conclusions: Growing up with someone who was a heavy drinker may have lasting negative consequences on SRMH, with a negative subjective evaluation of mental health in adulthood. Targeted public health and preventive measures are needed to protect those living with heavy drinkers.